THE GREATEST WRONG AGAINST ALLĀH

 FAJR REMINDER: THE GREATEST WRONG AGAINST ALLĀH

By: Umm Affān

Muḥarram 30, 1448 (15-July-2026)

The second class of the nullifiers of Islām and Eemān is DENIAL OF ALLĀH’S RIGHT TO BE WORSHIPPED OR WORSHIPPING ANYTHING OR ANYONE ALONG WITH HIM.

This category deals with the gravest of all sins: Shirk—associating partners with Allāh in worship. It includes directing acts of worship to the sun, the moon, the stars, trees, Shayṭān, or any other created being while neglecting the worship of Allāh, the One Who created them all.

Reflect for a moment. The One Who created the darkness of the night, the brightness of the day, the radiant sun, and the moon that reflects its light is the only One deserving of worship. None of His creations possesses any share of His Divine Right. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate not to the sun nor the moon, but prostrate to Allāh Who created them, if you (really) worship Him.” [Sūrah Fuṣṣilat (41): 37]

Likewise, mankind has been warned against worshipping Shayṭān and those who follow his path from among the Jinn and mankind. He is our declared enemy and only seeks to lead people away from the worship of their Lord. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “Did I not ordain for (i.e., command) you, O Children of Ādam, that you should not worship Shayṭān. Verily, he is a plain enemy to you.” [Sūrah Yā Sīn (36): 60]

Dear brethren! Never sell your everlasting Hereafter for the fleeting pleasures of this temporary world. Every worldly delight will one day come to an end, but the life to come is eternal. No sensible person exchanges endless bliss for a brief enjoyment that quickly fades away. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “…The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing).” [Sūrah Aal-'Imrān (3): 185]

Another manifestation of Shirk that nullifies one's Islām and Eemān is worshipping some of Allāh's creation alongside Him. This was precisely the condition of the pagan Arabs during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ). During times of severe hardship, they would sincerely call upon Allāh alone, recognising that only He could rescue them. Yet once relief came, they returned to worshipping their idols during times of ease. 

Describing their condition, Allāh (ﷻ) says: “And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allāh, making their Faith pure for Him only, but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others.” [Sūrah Al-‘Ankabūt (29): 65] Their calling upon Allāh in moments of desperation did not make them Muslims, because they still directed acts of worship to others besides Him. They were therefore judged to be Kāfirūn (disbelievers) for associating partners with Allāh.

Sadly, this same reality can be found among many who identify themselves as Muslims today. While they profess belief in Allāh, some direct acts of worship to rivers, mountains, stones, idols, graves, or deceased individuals whom they regard as saints. Such practices are nothing but forms of Shirk, regardless of the names people give them.

For example, one finds some Muslims attending the Osun Festival, where they direct requests to the River Osun in Osogbo. Some ask the river to bless them with children, even though only Allāh has the power to grant offspring. Then, when Allāh grants them what they sought—as part of His Wisdom and as a trial for them—they return the following year to express gratitude to the river instead of thanking the One Who truly answered their request. Allāh bestows His Favours upon them, yet their gratitude is directed elsewhere.

Similarly, many people seek out fortune-tellers, sorcerers, and other agents of Shayṭān from among the Jinn and mankind, hoping to obtain benefits or avert harm. Yet these are matters that belong solely to Allāh. Seeking such things through them is an act of Shirk, and whoever dies without repenting from it faces the gravest consequence. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “Verily, whoever commits Shirk with Allāh, then Allāh has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Ẓālimūn (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers.” [Sūrah Al-Mā’idah (5): 72]

How tragic it is for a person to turn away from the Creator and devote acts of worship to His creation. There is no injustice greater than this. Every act of worship—whether supplication, sacrifice, reliance, fear, hope, or seeking aid in matters only Allāh can do—belongs to Allāh Alone. He has no partner in His Lordship, His Names and Attributes, or His Right to be worshipped.

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to protect us from every form of Shirk, whether apparent or hidden, and to keep our hearts firm upon sincere Tawḥīd until we meet Him. Aameen.